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Restful Bedroom Schemes Strike Gold
Don't be afraid of using this season's high-octane metallic to create a soft and sunny glow in the bedroom
Gold, and its softer sister bronze, were the darlings of the metallics trend at the recent Salone del Mobile exhibit during Milan Design Week 2015, but only the daring will know how to use gold to great dramatic effect at home without it looking brassy. Particularly challenging is the injection of a glittering gold flourish or burnished bronze finish in the quiet sanctuary of the bedroom – but if you do it right, your bedroom will emit a heavenly glow.
Add and subtract with gold accessories
If you are unsure about how to use gold and bronze accents successfully, start out with vividly patterned, metallic gold cushions in a two-tone weave or colourway. If you like the effect, more items can be added as you adjust to the idea.
TIP: To reduce gold’s characteristic razzle-dazzle, choose cushions covered with a damask or velvet fabric – the light dulls the gold but also picks it up, depending on the angle light beams hit the nap of the fabric. Because of the inherent textured weave of these fabrics, the effect is less overpowering than when you choose a metallic in a plain weave. Also look for pillow shams and curtain fabrics that feature a weave with a metallic gold thread.
If you are unsure about how to use gold and bronze accents successfully, start out with vividly patterned, metallic gold cushions in a two-tone weave or colourway. If you like the effect, more items can be added as you adjust to the idea.
TIP: To reduce gold’s characteristic razzle-dazzle, choose cushions covered with a damask or velvet fabric – the light dulls the gold but also picks it up, depending on the angle light beams hit the nap of the fabric. Because of the inherent textured weave of these fabrics, the effect is less overpowering than when you choose a metallic in a plain weave. Also look for pillow shams and curtain fabrics that feature a weave with a metallic gold thread.
Be daring with dotty decals
Another simple but impressive way to incorporate a swathe of gold in the bedroom is to affix decals to the wall. Decals in a metallic finish provide a non-permanent solution to experimenting with this precious metal colour in your bedroom decor. Simple shapes such as dots or crosses can be randomly placed, giving you a great deal of creative freedom as to how the decals will look as a whole.
TIP: Choose peel-and-stick decals for this project as they can be easily repositioned and even removed. Plus the gold dots can be mixed and matched with other shapes such as triangles and squares.
Another simple but impressive way to incorporate a swathe of gold in the bedroom is to affix decals to the wall. Decals in a metallic finish provide a non-permanent solution to experimenting with this precious metal colour in your bedroom decor. Simple shapes such as dots or crosses can be randomly placed, giving you a great deal of creative freedom as to how the decals will look as a whole.
TIP: Choose peel-and-stick decals for this project as they can be easily repositioned and even removed. Plus the gold dots can be mixed and matched with other shapes such as triangles and squares.
Make way for a mirror (and a funky lamp)
Another way to add a golden glimmer to your bedroom is to hang a gilt-edged mirror in a prominent place. Not only does it add form and function, but it increases the glam factor, too.
TIP: A starburst mirror is always a handsome choice, but you could equally update the frame of a vintage mirror with spray paint or gold leaf. This will provide you with a cheaper and more personalised alternative.
Bourgie lamp by Ferruccio Laviani: Kartell
Another way to add a golden glimmer to your bedroom is to hang a gilt-edged mirror in a prominent place. Not only does it add form and function, but it increases the glam factor, too.
TIP: A starburst mirror is always a handsome choice, but you could equally update the frame of a vintage mirror with spray paint or gold leaf. This will provide you with a cheaper and more personalised alternative.
Bourgie lamp by Ferruccio Laviani: Kartell
Read by golden light
Add the Midas touch to your boudoir by purchasing a simple table lamp with a gold lamp shade.
TIP: You can find inexpensive vintage lamps at secondhand markets or op shops, and these are often going for a song. If made of metal, but in a sorry state due to chipped enamel paint, give your treasured purchase a revamp with a light coat of old gold spray paint.
Add the Midas touch to your boudoir by purchasing a simple table lamp with a gold lamp shade.
TIP: You can find inexpensive vintage lamps at secondhand markets or op shops, and these are often going for a song. If made of metal, but in a sorry state due to chipped enamel paint, give your treasured purchase a revamp with a light coat of old gold spray paint.
Add glamour with gold furniture
Metallics are key to adding sparkle and glam to any space, but if you are hesitant in using gold-coloured furniture, start with pieces that you can easily swap over, such as a chair or side tables.
TIP: There’s often an old kitchen chair in a relative’s house that has lost its good looks but not its charm. Offer to replace it with something more solid and serviceable (but inexpensive and modern) for the piece of old furniture you have your eye on. With a little paint and polish, your swapped item could be the gold highlight in your new bedroom revamp.
Metallics are key to adding sparkle and glam to any space, but if you are hesitant in using gold-coloured furniture, start with pieces that you can easily swap over, such as a chair or side tables.
TIP: There’s often an old kitchen chair in a relative’s house that has lost its good looks but not its charm. Offer to replace it with something more solid and serviceable (but inexpensive and modern) for the piece of old furniture you have your eye on. With a little paint and polish, your swapped item could be the gold highlight in your new bedroom revamp.
The need to uplift a room with a little light due to gold’s reflective characteristics becomes apparent as cloudy days increase.
This is a great reason why you should bring some ‘bling’ into the bedroom space. And when the weather changes, or you change your mind, an antiqued gold or burnished bronze side table can be moved around the house to a new spot.
TIP: As an alternative to a bedside table with drawers, try a nest of tables. The smaller ones can be pulled out and the tabletops used when extra space is required by the bed.
This is a great reason why you should bring some ‘bling’ into the bedroom space. And when the weather changes, or you change your mind, an antiqued gold or burnished bronze side table can be moved around the house to a new spot.
TIP: As an alternative to a bedside table with drawers, try a nest of tables. The smaller ones can be pulled out and the tabletops used when extra space is required by the bed.
Create golden highlights in a darkened room
For those who prefer a more dramatic look in their boudoir, create a contrast with golden highlights against sombre tones such as grey, grape or black. A gold or bronze-framed bedhead or a fine gold trim on a piece of furniture creates just enough of a bright spark, especially when the piece is placed near a dark slate or plum-coloured wall.
TIP: You can get this look by antiquing the wooden part of an old bedhead, which you can pick up from a vintage market or by bidding for one on a secondhand furniture auction website. Buy some liquid gold leaf-type paint from an art supplier or craft shop and apply with some scruffy old paint brushes. Work the gold into all the scrolls and crevices. When dry, paint over with a light burnt umber colour and then almost immediately wipe off with a paper towel, especially on the high-relief points. A little umber should stay in the crevices, producing the sensational antique effect.
For those who prefer a more dramatic look in their boudoir, create a contrast with golden highlights against sombre tones such as grey, grape or black. A gold or bronze-framed bedhead or a fine gold trim on a piece of furniture creates just enough of a bright spark, especially when the piece is placed near a dark slate or plum-coloured wall.
TIP: You can get this look by antiquing the wooden part of an old bedhead, which you can pick up from a vintage market or by bidding for one on a secondhand furniture auction website. Buy some liquid gold leaf-type paint from an art supplier or craft shop and apply with some scruffy old paint brushes. Work the gold into all the scrolls and crevices. When dry, paint over with a light burnt umber colour and then almost immediately wipe off with a paper towel, especially on the high-relief points. A little umber should stay in the crevices, producing the sensational antique effect.
Create a feature wall
Throughout the ages, gold has symbolised wealth and power, and is associated with extravagance, luxury and prestige. Don’t be afraid to be bold and use gold confidently. Here it has been painted on a huge bedhead that dominates the room, but as it’s the standout feature in a largely monochromatic setting, this flamboyant accent works.
TIP: Approach this idea as if you were dressing a theatrical set that can be redesigned for future play. Paint a floating bedhead, which can be positioned semi-permanently behind the bed. Repaint in a different colour for a quick bedroom makeover.
13 creative DIY bedheads
Throughout the ages, gold has symbolised wealth and power, and is associated with extravagance, luxury and prestige. Don’t be afraid to be bold and use gold confidently. Here it has been painted on a huge bedhead that dominates the room, but as it’s the standout feature in a largely monochromatic setting, this flamboyant accent works.
TIP: Approach this idea as if you were dressing a theatrical set that can be redesigned for future play. Paint a floating bedhead, which can be positioned semi-permanently behind the bed. Repaint in a different colour for a quick bedroom makeover.
13 creative DIY bedheads
Display an oriental flourish
Another grandiose idea for a showy bedhead featuring gold is to use a gilded Japanese or Chinese folding screen, flattened out and attached to the wall behind the bed.
TIP: Chinese copies are just as effective and are only a fraction of the price of an original – and still authentically oriental!
Another grandiose idea for a showy bedhead featuring gold is to use a gilded Japanese or Chinese folding screen, flattened out and attached to the wall behind the bed.
TIP: Chinese copies are just as effective and are only a fraction of the price of an original – and still authentically oriental!
Display your precious metals
Gold blends easily with modern furnishings and adds a touch of luxury, glamour and sometimes whimsy. Curate a dazzling display of gold by collecting some sunny-coloured pieces you’ve found at markets, op-shops or even stowed away at home.
TIP: Mix up your golden treasures with other metals, such as copper, bronze, nickel, silver, brass or pewter for a solo exhibit. Your dazzling display will certainly command attention and if your artistry strikes the right note, it might even become a permanent showcase.
Gold blends easily with modern furnishings and adds a touch of luxury, glamour and sometimes whimsy. Curate a dazzling display of gold by collecting some sunny-coloured pieces you’ve found at markets, op-shops or even stowed away at home.
TIP: Mix up your golden treasures with other metals, such as copper, bronze, nickel, silver, brass or pewter for a solo exhibit. Your dazzling display will certainly command attention and if your artistry strikes the right note, it might even become a permanent showcase.
TELL US
What do you think of this season’s hottest metallic hue? How have you brought the Midas touch to your home?
MORE
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What do you think of this season’s hottest metallic hue? How have you brought the Midas touch to your home?
MORE
Heavy Metals: 12 Rooms With Dazzling Metallic Decor
Bathroom Inspiration: Add Shimmer and Sparkle With Metallics
The Affordable Way to Make Your Home Look More Expensive
A failsafe way to keep the ‘louder’ attributes of gold under control is to offer it as a pattern in wallpaper and pair it with white or beige bedding and wall paint. This combination produces a pretty, even dreamy, look, especially if the wallpaper has a delicate floral or filigree pattern (no geometrics allowed). The golden sheen of the wallpaper pictured here works because it has been combined with a beige bedhead and lots of white from the bedlinen, bedside table, lamp and walls.
TIP: For easy hanging of wallpaper, use a non-woven type. These papers are made of natural and synthetic fibres and are flexible and tear-resistant. This makes them easy to handle during application as well as easy to wipe clean. Using a brush or roller, apply paste directly to the wall, then smooth the wallpaper sections onto the surface.
WallSmart wallpaper in ‘Wilderness’: Ferm Living